Another two-week list, our top Oculus releases from mid-July include a variety of games for all platforms, from innovative horror games to whimsical puzzles.

GNOG

from KO_OP

GNOG – screenshot courtesy Oculus

Originally released on mobile platforms but now optimized for VR, GNOG is a whimsical and award-winning puzzle game inspired by real-world toy designs.

Combining the surreal playfulness of games like Machinarium – each of its nine levels involves solving puzzles within a giant toy head – with an art style that evokes Loot Rascals as well as contemporary design brands like GAMAGO, this release is tactile enough to feel “real” but so kooky that virtual space is its perfect delivery mechanism.

Stifled

from Gattai Games

Stifled – screenshot courtesy Steam

Winning multiple awards at game shows in Asia, Stifled is a stealth horror game that relies on a fairly unique echolocation mechanic: in order to discover your surroundings, you need to make sound using your microphone. The more noise you make, though, the more you broadcast your location to unseen horrors stalking you in the darkness…

This is a cross-platform game that doesn’t have to be played in VR, but the extra immersion makes things all the more terrifying.

NeuroSpeculative AfroFeminism

from Hyphen-Labs

NeuroSpeculative AfroFeminism – screenshot courtesy Oculus

An interactive film combining cyberpunk science fiction with commentary on the African-American experience – and in particular the connection between hair and identity – NeuroSpeculative AfroFeminism has been featured at the likes of the Sundance Film Festival, SXSW and the Tribeca Film Festival.

It’s also free on all Oculus platforms, so even if you don’t have an immediate personal connection to the subject matter, there’s no excuse not to check this out.

Order Up

If you’re a fan of the frantic multi-tasking of restaurant simulators and cooking games, Order Up should tickle your taste buds, so to speak.

Adding to the stress of getting your meals put together right and keeping your diners happy, this designed for room scale, so make sure to put on your hairnet – all that running around will have you sweating.

Astraeus

from E McNeil

Astraeus – screenshot courtesy Steam

E McNeil is quickly developing a reputation for well executed, futuristic strategy games for VR. Astraeus continues that trajectory with minimalist neon graphics and polished RTS mechanics of previous releases like Skylight and Darknet, this time in service of a game about using drone fleets to mine asteroids.

Lila’s Tale

from Skullfish Studios

Lila’s Tale – screenshot courtesy Oculus

Don’t be fooled by the images of dungeons and dragons; Lila’s Tale isn’t an RPG, but rather a beautiful puzzle adventure for mobile VR featuring cleverly designed puzzles, a gorgeous cut-out art style, and a charming story appropriate for all ages.

Drops: Rhythm Garden

from Particle Inc.

Drops: Rhythm Garden – screenshot courtesy Steam

VR is an ideal method of teaching non-musicians about musical concepts, as Drops: Rhythm Garden does with polyphonic rhythm. Use a series of shapes and sounds designed by DJ and remix artist Patrick Russell and avant-garde composer and guitarist Patrick Higgins to create intricate rhythms within a meditative semi-abstract landscape.

As we busy ourselves gearing up for this year’s VRTO, here’s a double-sized top five Oculus releases article, covering the past two weeks. Along with a couple of big releases – including an alternate history science fiction offering and a narrative-driven fantasy bow simulator – we’ve also got some lesser known offerings which all happen to revolve around flight to some degree:

Red Matter

by Vertical Robot

Red Matter – screenshot courtesy Oculus

Set in a research base on one of the moons of Saturn, Red Matter is a puzzle-based adventure game that stands out for both its atmospheric pacing – no jump scares here, just a slowly building tension – and its setting.

SACRALITH: The Archer’s Tale

by Odd Meter

SACRALITH – screenshot courtesy Steam

Archery simulators are quickly becoming one of the more popular genres for VR, but SACRALITH: The Archer’s Tale is one of the best. Aside from gorgeous graphics and perfectly implemented bow mechanic, developers Odd Meter deliver an experience that can be described as “epic fantasy” without exaggeration.

TSA Frisky

by Out There Entertainment

TSA Frisky – screenshot courtesy Steam

Influenced by Job Simulator and originally created as a student project at the Savannah College of Art and Design, TSA Frisky is all but guaranteed to amuse anyone who enjoys the hectic pace of games like Cook! Serve! Delicious! or who has been ever been inconvenienced by air travel.

Drone Hero

from Neuston AB

Drone Hero – screenshot courtesy Steam

The concept of Drone Hero is simple enough – flying an RC quadcopter drone in VR – but the pitch-perfect flight controls and numerous challenges, from crowded night clubs to heist movie laser security systems, that make this release so compelling.